Tagged Questions
15
votes
1answer
196 views
Which cultural trope(s) does the D&D cleric refer to?
On the level of game mechanics, the classic D&D cleric melds the healer, the crusader and the witch/vampire hunter in one person. Is this a genuine D&D mish-mash or is there any ...
14
votes
1answer
211 views
Where did the Chromatic/Metallic Dragons come from?
In the AD&D Monster Manual, the Chromatic (evil) and Metallic (good) dragons are introduced. Each color of dragon has a different habitat, personality and breath weapon. (Or two breath weapons, in ...
15
votes
3answers
500 views
Why do D&D Paladins Have to Be Lawful Good?
In just about every edition of D&D (save for 4e), Paladins are required to be Lawful Good. If they stray from that, they are completely stripped of their powers. This means that evil deities can't ...
33
votes
6answers
943 views
At what point did polyhedral dice become part of D&D?
I was reading some articles the other day about Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson and the history of Dungeons and Dragons. I started to wonder: Where did these guys from Wisconsin get the now iconic polyhedral ...
9
votes
1answer
214 views
What inspired the Rakshasa other than its namesake?
Rakshasa have been part of D&D for more than 35 years, appearing in every edition. These evil magic cat-people are clearly inspired by the rakshas from Hindu and Buddhist mythologies, but they ...
9
votes
3answers
309 views
When did the powers that be decide that my lanky frame warrants twenty-five square feet?
I was playing with AutoREALM the other day and noticed a lack of a five-foot-unit of measurement. There are inches, feet, yards, meters and then fathoms (apparently, six feet). This tool seems fairly ...
18
votes
4answers
1k views
Why can't clerics use sharp weapons?
In many versions of D&D, clerics can't use bladed/edged/pointy weapons, and are instead restricted to things like staves, clubs, maces, etc. Why is this?
Is there some historical reason? Is ...
12
votes
3answers
480 views
Why can't a Cleric use a sling?
So by the book 1st Edition AD&D, clerics can't use a sling.
Other than game balance (it essentially means that other than the odd thrown hammer clerics have no ranged weapon ability which further ...
25
votes
6answers
1k views
In an even fight, how many rounds does a typical monster need to drop a PC?
Inspired by the closed question: DnD Next Hitpoint Inflation,
There have been claims of HP inflation in dnd-next, and there certainly were increased in the absolute value of HP in 4e. In order to ...
15
votes
4answers
396 views
What's the origin of the term “gold piece”?
What is the literary or historical origin of the term "gold piece" to mean a gold coin? Was it used before D&D, or did D&D coin the term?
14
votes
4answers
2k views
What exactly is a saving throw?
Dungeons and Dragons has had the concept of a "saving throw" for a long time. What exactly is it supposed to represent in the real world? And why is it called a "saving throw"?
22
votes
4answers
451 views
Why do characters with a high prime requisite gain bonus XP?
In earlier versions of Dungeons & Dragons, a character with a high ability score in their class' prime requisite receives a bonus to all experience he earns. For example, the 1983 Frank Mentzer ...
17
votes
3answers
1k views
Where do dual-wielding rangers come from?
The classes in D&D are clearly selected as classic archetypes, either from an iconic character or frequently reccurring within Fantasy fiction.
The idea of bow-wielding rangers is a good example ...
29
votes
5answers
1k views
What's the deal with alignment languages?
In early D&D, there was the concept of an "alignment language."
The original "little brown book" D&D says only:
Law, Chaos and Neutrality also have common languages spoken by each ...
44
votes
13answers
4k views
Why does everyone carry a 10' pole?
Based on this comment over on CRPG Addict:
No adventuring party is complete without a ten foot pole.
...
Jason, but WHY? In God's name, WHAT IS IT FOR?!
What is a 10 foot pole used for ...
14
votes
4answers
581 views
What are the literary influences of the D&D Bard?
Can anyone tell me what sources, in literature, film, etc. inspired the Bard class for Dungeons & Dragons? I'm familiar with the Celtic Bards of history and legend, but the modern D&D Bard ...
2
votes
2answers
375 views
The first sold copy of D&D was to Chaosium's founder: were Chaosium's games influential on early D&D? [closed]
Alexander Dotor once interviewed Greg Stafford, during which Greg Stafford stated the following:
Greg Stafford: I knew about D&D. I had a friend in Lake Geneva who was
picking up abelt ...
15
votes
5answers
888 views
Where does the D&D concept of a dwarf come from?
Where does the modern D&D of a dwarf come from? I've noticed it's fairly far from the old Germanic concept of a dwarf. Where did Gary Gygax and company get the idea for the current long bearded, ...
15
votes
2answers
818 views
Were Illithids inspired by Cthulhu?
Mind Flayers seem to look a whole lot like Cthulhu. Is there any relationship/inspiration between the two?
25
votes
6answers
980 views
What were the driving factors in the falling out between Dave Arneson and Gary Gygax?
Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson created the hobby together when they wrote D&D. But later on they had a falling out - what caused that?
(We don't need minutiae, just the biggest factors)
26
votes
5answers
4k views
What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D?
What are the differences between Holmes, Moldvay, and Mentzer D&D? Also, which one came first?
